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Downtown fountain's larger price tag sparks debate

Published: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, September 17, 2013 at 7:32 p.m.

True to the adage that “art is subjective,” the fountain on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Main Street in downtown Hendersonville has invoked its share of debate. One of the most common disputes has focused on its price.

Initial cost estimates for the “Mountain Memory” fountain by Arden artist Berry Bate were penciled in for close to $121,000 (including a 10 percent contingency) before the final concept of the piece was decided. Unforeseen costs brought the final price tag up to $183,284.

Guri Andermann, who is running for a seat on City Council, asked the board where the money to cover the difference came from, but left before the answer was given at the meeting Sept. 5. Councilman Jerry Smith said the overruns were covered by contingency funds and bonds already approved for the project.

“We were able to cover the additional cost by allocating money from the 2008 sidewalk bond project to cover some of the sidewalk installation on Main Street. This freed up money in the construction budget to cover the additional costs for the fountain,” City Manager John Connet said Monday. “Also, it is worth noting that we received a $20,000 check from the Community Foundation (of Henderson County) as a contribution for the fountain construction in March.”

Extra money was needed to pay for the pump, filtration and sanitation system and a sturdier cement base to counterbalance its top-heavy weight, according to City Engineer Brent Detwiler.

The $1.6 million contract for the third and final phase of streetscape improvements to the 500 through 700 blocks of Main Street was awarded to Trace & Company in December. Although close to $143,000 was earmarked for two gateway art projects in the phase, only one came to fruition and its amount did not include specific costs for the piece or the mechanics to operate it.

Once the artist's concept was refined for the fountain, Detwiler said all parties involved in the project's construction met in January to hammer out the details.

Medallion Pools of Arden was called in to install the mechanical infrastructure of the fountain at a cost of $66,275. Professional Engineer Mark Dorsey said their work also included the installation of a sanitation system with ozone technology, which uses free oxygen atoms to oxidize and destroy foreign particles.

The ozone generator is considered to be one of the cleanest, most eco-friendly ways to treat potable water, and Dorsey said the fountain downtown is unique to have the feature in its purification system. Medallion Pools also constructed an underground vault to store the fountain's mechanics in one safe, easy location.

Six lines currently feed the fountain with water that travels to at least two filters before it makes its way up and out through the mountain range, Detwiler pointed out with the reinforced vault doors open Tuesday.

Medallion Pools poured the structure of the fountain, originally anticipated to be cinder block, with solid concrete to accommodate the weight of the multiple 500-pound boulders used in its construction.

Final cost estimates, provided by the city, include an $86,230.59 bill for the artist (with a $343 savings in lighting for the final piece); $1,529 for additional plants and moss to hide open spaces between the rocks in the fountain; $66,275 for Medallion Pools, for its infrastructure; $24,098 for a brick veneer and seat wall surrounding the fountain and lighting; $2,990 for granite curbstone directional markers; and $2,162 for two additional granite markers with logos.

Granite curbstone directional markers were added by the artist to the project after council requested that the artist refine her initial concept to include features relevant to Hendersonville.

“We received the change order for the granite directional markers a couple weeks ago,” Connet said. “The directional markers were not part of the original brick structure component bid with the project and were added as part of the approved fountain design in December 2012.

“The plants were installed over the weekend. They were added due to a field call by myself in order to help them hide areas between the boulders. We had previously discussed the granite markers with logos.”

Granite logos and a plaque detailing the artist's vision behind the piece are the last remaining items to be installed.

Downtown Economic Development Director Lew Holloway read the description set for the plaque to council at its meeting Sept. 5:

“'Mountain Memory' is inspired by the prominent peaks and rivers that surround Hendersonville. The sculpture's peaks, detailed in copper, represent Mt. Pisgah, Pinnacle and Sugarloaf Mountains. The sculpture's rivers, depicted in stone and water, are the French Broad, the Green, and the Big Hungry. Highlighting these features brings attention to the natural environment that is the foundation of our community.

“The fountain is divided by the copper ridgeline in much the same way as our county – which contains a portion of the eastern continental divide – is divided by natural ridgelines. The steep and swift Big Hungry and Green Rivers flow off one side of the sculpture, representing their travel to the Atlantic, while the larger French Broad cascades down the front side of the fountain representing its journey to the Mississippi River. Ms. Bate was inspired by the role these natural features have played in shaping our community over time and designed and built 'Mountain Memory' to pay homage to them.”

<p>True to the adage that “art is subjective,” the fountain on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Main Street in downtown Hendersonville has invoked its share of debate. One of the most common disputes has focused on its price.</p><p>Initial cost estimates for the “Mountain Memory” fountain by Arden artist Berry Bate were penciled in for close to $121,000 (including a 10 percent contingency) before the final concept of the piece was decided. Unforeseen costs brought the final price tag up to $183,284.</p><p>Guri Andermann, who is running for a seat on City Council, asked the board where the money to cover the difference came from, but left before the answer was given at the meeting Sept. 5. Councilman Jerry Smith said the overruns were covered by contingency funds and bonds already approved for the project.</p><p>“We were able to cover the additional cost by allocating money from the 2008 sidewalk bond project to cover some of the sidewalk installation on Main Street. This freed up money in the construction budget to cover the additional costs for the fountain,” City Manager John Connet said Monday. “Also, it is worth noting that we received a $20,000 check from the Community Foundation (of Henderson County) as a contribution for the fountain construction in March.”</p><p>Extra money was needed to pay for the pump, filtration and sanitation system and a sturdier cement base to counterbalance its top-heavy weight, according to City Engineer Brent Detwiler.</p><p>The $1.6 million contract for the third and final phase of streetscape improvements to the 500 through 700 blocks of Main Street was awarded to Trace & Company in December. Although close to $143,000 was earmarked for two gateway art projects in the phase, only one came to fruition and its amount did not include specific costs for the piece or the mechanics to operate it.</p><p>Once the artist's concept was refined for the fountain, Detwiler said all parties involved in the project's construction met in January to hammer out the details.</p><p>Medallion Pools of Arden was called in to install the mechanical infrastructure of the fountain at a cost of $66,275. Professional Engineer Mark Dorsey said their work also included the installation of a sanitation system with ozone technology, which uses free oxygen atoms to oxidize and destroy foreign particles.</p><p>The ozone generator is considered to be one of the cleanest, most eco-friendly ways to treat potable water, and Dorsey said the fountain downtown is unique to have the feature in its purification system. Medallion Pools also constructed an underground vault to store the fountain's mechanics in one safe, easy location.</p><p>Six lines currently feed the fountain with water that travels to at least two filters before it makes its way up and out through the mountain range, Detwiler pointed out with the reinforced vault doors open Tuesday.</p><p>Medallion Pools poured the structure of the fountain, originally anticipated to be cinder block, with solid concrete to accommodate the weight of the multiple 500-pound boulders used in its construction.</p><p>Final cost estimates, provided by the city, include an $86,230.59 bill for the artist (with a $343 savings in lighting for the final piece); $1,529 for additional plants and moss to hide open spaces between the rocks in the fountain; $66,275 for Medallion Pools, for its infrastructure; $24,098 for a brick veneer and seat wall surrounding the fountain and lighting; $2,990 for granite curbstone directional markers; and $2,162 for two additional granite markers with logos.</p><p>Granite curbstone directional markers were added by the artist to the project after council requested that the artist refine her initial concept to include features relevant to Hendersonville.</p><p>“We received the change order for the granite directional markers a couple weeks ago,” Connet said. “The directional markers were not part of the original brick structure component bid with the project and were added as part of the approved fountain design in December 2012.</p><p>“The plants were installed over the weekend. They were added due to a field call by myself in order to help them hide areas between the boulders. We had previously discussed the granite markers with logos.”</p><p>Granite logos and a plaque detailing the artist's vision behind the piece are the last remaining items to be installed.</p><p>Downtown Economic Development Director Lew Holloway read the description set for the plaque to council at its meeting Sept. 5:</p><p>“'Mountain Memory' is inspired by the prominent peaks and rivers that surround Hendersonville. The sculpture's peaks, detailed in copper, represent Mt. Pisgah, Pinnacle and Sugarloaf Mountains. The sculpture's rivers, depicted in stone and water, are the French Broad, the Green, and the Big Hungry. Highlighting these features brings attention to the natural environment that is the foundation of our community.</p><p>“The fountain is divided by the copper ridgeline in much the same way as our county – which contains a portion of the eastern continental divide – is divided by natural ridgelines. The steep and swift Big Hungry and Green Rivers flow off one side of the sculpture, representing their travel to the Atlantic, while the larger French Broad cascades down the front side of the fountain representing its journey to the Mississippi River. Ms. Bate was inspired by the role these natural features have played in shaping our community over time and designed and built 'Mountain Memory' to pay homage to them.”</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>